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Cannabis products for pets are rapidly growing in popularity across the world. It’s no surprise since most owners will do anything for their furry friends. But how much evidence is there that CBD for pets actually works, and is it okay to give CBD to a pet without a prescription from a vet?
What are cannabis pet products?
Cannabis pet products are products that include cannabidiol (CBD) or other cannabinoids and are intended for consumption by dogs, cats, horses, and other animals. These can include dog treats, cat treats, soft chews, capsules, topical products, and of course, CBD oil.
Humans have been taking cannabis as medicine for thousands of years. Ancient beliefs about the medicinal value of the plant have been confirmed by studies, and we now know that the endocannabinoid system (ECS) plays a crucial role in overall health. Evidence has confirmed the existence of the ECS in all mammals, which includes pets.
The endocannabinoid system in pets
Just as cannabinoids like CBD and THC can activate the human endocannabinoid system, they can activate the ECS in your cat or dog, too. A balanced ECS in pets promotes homeostasis and can help regulate appetite, sleep, mood regulation and stability, gait, pain perception, memory, body temperature, immunity, reproduction, and fertility.
The ECS works a bit like a dimmer switch, turning up or down cellular activity in order to maintain balance or homeostasis. Certain endocannabinoids also have mood-boosting and anti-inflammatory effects. We know that anandamide is present in elevated levels after intense exercise – ever wonder why dogs love running around so much? 1
A 2019 review of research on the mammalian endocannabinoid systems concluded that, “The endocannabinoid system… plays an integral role in maintaining homeostasis for a number of organ systems. [It] modulates the nervous, immune, and other organ systems to regulate pain and inflammation, modulate metabolism and neurologic function, promote healthy digestive processes, and support reproductive function and embryologic development.” 2
In short, a healthy ECS makes for a healthy pet. Just as people can benefit from supplementing with CBD or THC products, your pets may benefit from cannabis, too.
Can pets have THC?
Contrary to popular belief, THC isn’t highly toxic to dogs or cats – but it isn’t good for them, and can have serious negative effects. Pets, particularly dogs, are more sensitive to the effects of THC, and even small doses (relative to their body size) can have powerful effects.
Dogs have a high concentration of cannabinoid receptors in the cerebellum, a part of the brain responsible for balance and coordination. Ingesting THC can cause a unique neurological reaction called “static ataxia,” a loss of balance that may lead to repeated stumbling and rocking back and forth, acting as if they cannot move. So when it comes to cannabis for pets, stick with CBD products that have minimal amounts of THC (less than 0.3%) or none at all.
CBD in pet products
CBD (cannabidiol) is the main cannabinoid used in pet products, although it’s not unusual to see other minor cannabinoids like CBG and CBN as well. CBD is well tolerated in humans because it isn’t intoxicating and has relatively few side effects – and the same seems to be true for cats and dogs. Most animal studies on CBD have been in rodents, but there are a few studies with cats and dogs from which we can draw conclusions.
In addition to the limited, albeit growing body of scientific research, the internet abounds with anecdotal reports of animal owners saying they have successfully treated their pets with cannabidiol.
The benefits of CBD for pets
CBD’s documented effects in humans carry over to this compound’s effects in your furry friends. CBD is thought to strengthen anandamide signaling by blocking FAAH, the enzyme responsible for its degradation. 3
Other effects of CBD include:
- Analgesic – CBD’s ability to reduce pain is well-documented in studies on dogs with arthritis. CBD can be helpful for older pets or pets recovering from injuries. 4
- Anti-inflammatory – CBD has been found to reduce inflammation by suppressing the immune system and binding with TRPV1 vanilloid receptors, which can help older animals move around more easily, with less pain. 5
- Anti-anxiety – CBD activates the 5HT1A serotonin receptors bringing about a calming effect, which can help anxious animals. 6
- Reduces seizures – one of the most well-documented CBD therapeutic effects also benefits pets. If your pet is prone to seizures, talk to your vet about a CBD regimen. 7
- Anti-tumoral – CBD has been found to reduce tumor size and prevent the spread of cancer cells in some cancers in preclinical studies. 8 9
How to dose CBD for pets
There is no “one standard dose” for giving your dog or cat (or horse) CBD. Pets come in all shapes and sizes with unique endocannabinoid systems, so it may take some trial and error to find the right dose for your pet.
Start with a low dose and gauge your pet’s reaction. The typical recommended dose for CBD in pets for CBD dosing is 0.25 – 2 mg per kg of body weight, once or twice daily. Pick a low dose, and give it consistently for 7 – 14 days. Watch your pet, and if you’re not seeing improvements in their movement (or any other desired effect), slowly increase the dose.
Can your pet overdose on CBD?
Yes. Your pet can have too much, and while overdosing on CBD isn’t fatal, it won’t be fun for you or your pet. Side effects of having too much CBD include vomiting, or may not be legally allowed to recommend or discuss CBD.
In the United States, there is a well-developed CBD pet product market where a number of specially formulated pet CBD products are available such as edibles (chews, treats, and biscuits) and capsules or oils for dogs and cats. Pet CBD products in the US are sold as nutritional supplements and companies are not allowed to make any medical claims.
However, in the United Kingdom, CBD must be prescribed by a vet. In November 2018, the UK Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) announced: “veterinary products containing Cannabidiol are veterinary medicines.”
The 10 best CBD oils for pets in 2024
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3 flavor choices and additional cannabinoids
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Free shipping and 30-day money-back guarantee
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Small bottle – 30 servings
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4 formulations for specific effects
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Organic ingredients
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Ships worldwide
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Not 100% free of THC (but does contain less than 0.3%)
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60-day money back guarantee, but no returns accepted
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No added preservatives or ingredients
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Bacon or chicken flavored
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Wide variety of potencies
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Reviewed by veterinarians
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Fast acting formulation includes chamomile and minor cannabinoids
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Free shipping
-
Not 100% free of THC (but does contain less than 0.3%)
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USDA certified organic tincture
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18-month shelf life
-
Free shipping
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Each purchase supports meals for shelter pets
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Uses nano-emulsion technology for fast acting effects
-
Ships worldwide, but excludes many countries
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Wide variety of flavors and potencies available
-
GMP certified
-
60-day money back guarantee
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Easy to adjust/customize dose level with dropper
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Contains only CBD and MCT coconut oil
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100% organically-grown, vegan, gluten and GMO-free
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High concentration doses
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Available worldwide, except Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, or South Korea
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Full refund available within 30 days
Holistapet CBD oil for dogs
Price: $29.95
Size: 300 mg in 15 mL bottle
Cannabinoids: broad-spectrum CBD
Flavors: original, chicken, or salmon
Available in: USA
Notes:
- 3 flavor choices and additional cannabinoids
- Free shipping and 30-day money-back guarantee
- Small bottle – only 30 servings
Holistapet is one of the most trusted names in pet CBD products, using nothing but broad-spectrum CBD and hemp seed oil. Dosing sizes range from 150 mg to 3000 mg per bottle, and all of the oils are 100% non-GMO, organic, vegan, and subjected to rigorous lab testing. The company’s range of potencies makes it a great option for dogs of all sizes, and they even provide a helpful dosing chart to make sense of it all. The bottles are rather small though, but very concentrated, with one option an impressive 10% CBD – 100mg/mL.
In addition to CBD oil for cats and dogs, Holistapet also makes CBD oil for horses.
Honest Paws CBD oil for dogs
Price: $39.95
Size: 125 mg in 30mL
Cannabinoids: full-spectrum CBD
Flavors: unflavored
Available in: worldwide
Notes:
- 4 formulations for specific effects
- Organic ingredients
- Ships worldwide
Honest Paws focuses on one thing – high-quality CBD for cats and dogs. Whether you’re looking for a formulation to help your pet move around easier, stay calm, have less pain on a daily basis, or support digestion, Honest Paws has it. Each oil has added terpenes and herbs for additional support, like turmeric in the mobility oil to reduce inflammation. The strength of this CBD oil is sorted by dog size, starting at 125 mg per bottle all the way up to 1,000 mg per bottle. Honest Paws also has CBD oil for cats.
The Anxious Pet organic hemp oil for dogs
Price: $39
Size: 400 mg in 30 mL bottle
Cannabinoids: full-spectrum CBD
Flavors: unflavored
Available in: all 50 states
Notes:
- Not 100% free of THC (but does contain less than 0.3%)
- 60-day money-back guarantee, but no returns accepted
- No added preservatives or ingredients
Anxious Pet makes CBD oil to help pets feel… less anxious! All of the CBD products are veterinarian formulated and can “promote calm and reduce anxiety-related behavior,” in addition to other health benefits. The oil contains only full-spectrum CBD oil and organic fractionated coconut oil and each bottle comes with a handy dosage guide according to each dog’s weight and age. If 400 mg isn’t enough for your anxious dog, Anxious Pet also makes an 800 mg formulation. Each product comes with a 60-day, full refund guarantee, and shipping is free within the US. Anxious Pet also makes a CBD oil for cats, and topical balm for cats and dogs.
CBDFx – CBD oil for pets
Price: $44.99
Size: 500 mg in 30 mL bottle
Cannabinoids: broad-spectrum CBD
Flavors: bacon or chicken
Available in: all 50 states
Notes:
- Bacon or chicken flavored
- Wide variety of potencies
- Reviewed by veterinarians
Like people, dogs like comfort food too. CBDFx gets it, and that’s probably why this pet CBD oil is offered in bacon or chicken flavors. The oils come in 5 separate potencies, and each is made with broad-spectrum CBD and is fully organic and non-GMO. The oils are vegan and made with human-grade CBD oil so you know your pet is consuming a safe product. Everything CBDFx makes is cruelty and solvent-free, and includes a 60-day guarantee. There’s also CBD oil for cats, in bacon or chicken flavors.
Penelope’s Bloom CBD oil tincture for dogs and cats
Price: $44.99
Size: 500 mg in 30 mL
Cannabinoids: full-spectrum CBD
Flavors: unflavored
Available in: all 50 states
Notes:
- Fast-acting formulation includes chamomile and minor cannabinoids
- Free shipping
- Not 100% free of THC (but does contain less than 0.3%)
Penelope’s Bloom organizes its CBD oil by pet size and weight, the lowest dose being 250 mg for small dogs (under 30 lbs.) and the highest at 1000 mg for extra-large dogs (up to 120 lbs). This CBD oil tincture is an affordable option that is fully vegan and formulated to be fast-acting. The oil contains chamomile, which may help with digestion, in addition to cannabinoids like CBN and CBG, as well as some terpenes and flavonoids. Although the company was inspired by a French bulldog (named Penelope) it also has CBD oil for cats.
Joy Organics CBD tincture for dogs and cats
Price: $44.95
Size: 450 mg in 30mL
Cannabinoids: full-spectrum CBD
Flavors: unflavored
Available in: all 50 states
Notes:
- USDA certified organic tincture
- 18-month shelf life
- Free shipping
Made from just two certified-organic ingredients, Joy Organics CBD oil is made to help your pets stay happy and healthy. The CBD extract is made from USA-grown hemp and suspended in olive oil, for a formula you could take alongside your furry friend (if you wanted to). Each bottle contains 30 servings, and Joy Organics suggests giving your pet CBD on a daily basis.
Cannanine Ultra-Premium CBD oil for cats and dogs
Price: $39.99
Size: 250 mg in 30mL
Cannabinoids: full-spectrum CBD
Flavors: unflavored
Available in: worldwide
Notes:
- Each purchase supports meals for shelter pets
- Uses nano-emulsion technology for fast-acting effects
- Ships worldwide, but excludes many countries
Cannanine loves pets. The company only makes CBD products for pets, and every purchase provides seven meals for shelter dogs. The oil contains organic, Colorado-grown hemp and is made with a patented nano-emulsion, which means your pet will absorb more CBD and feel the effects faster. It comes in three potencies for different sizes of pets, and the 250mg is perfect for small dogs and cats. You have 90 days to try the oil, and return it if you don’t like it – and Cannanine will still donate to shelter pets.
Paw CBD Oil from cbdMD
Price: $29.99
Size: 250 mg in 30 mL bottle
Cannabinoids: broad-spectrum CBD
Flavors: natural or peanut butter
Available in: all 50 states
Notes:
- Wide variety of flavors and potencies available
- GMP certified
- 60-day money-back guarantee
cbdMD offers a variety of paw CBD oils, ranging in strength from 150 mg per bottle up to 3000 mg. There’s a natural and peanut butter flavor in the hemp oil, and a blueberry flavor in the calming oil. All of the products are veterinarian formulated and work for dogs of all sizes. The oil also includes CBG and CBN, in addition to MCT oil and natural flavoring. cbdMD has been making “farm to shelf” CBD products since 2015 with organic and GMO-free ingredients. cbdMD also has CBD oil and chews for cats.
Petly Pet Hemp CBD oil for small dogs
Price: $39.99
Size: 125mg per 30 mL bottle
Cannabinoids: broad-spectrum CBD
Flavors: unflavored
Available in: all 50 states
Notes:
- Easy to adjust/customize dose level with dropper
- Contains only CBD and MCT coconut oil
- 100% organically-grown, vegan, gluten and GMO-free
Petly CBD’s oil is categorized by dog size. This small dog oil has 4.16mg of CBD in each dose, suspended in all-natural MCT coconut oil, and is perfect for pups under 25 lbs. Like all of this brand’s hemp oils, it is THC-free, non-GMO, vegan, gluten-free, and made with 100% organically-grown hemp. Each drop of the oil also contains some minor cannabinoids such as CBDA, CBG, CBN, and CBC. The recommended starting dosage is one full dropper a day, mixed with water. Petly also has CBD oils for medium and big dogs, as well as cats.
Canna-Pet Advanced MaxCBD liquid
Price: $79.99
Size: 680mg CBD per 10ml bottle
Cannabinoids: full-spectrum CBD
Flavors: unflavored
Available in: worldwide
Notes:
- High concentration doses
- Available worldwide, except Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Singapore, or South Korea
- Full refund available within 30 days
Man’s best friend can sometimes use a little help, and with canna-pet’s advanced MaxCBD oil, it comes in a potent concentrated form. The oil is 100% organic and contains only whole-plant organic hemp CBD oil. According to Canna-Pet, the highly concentrated form of CBD oil can be absorbed directly in the mouth, which allows it to be 15x as effective. All of the company’s products have a 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee and are made using nothing but 100% organic and non-GMO hemp. This oil is intended for dogs, and Canna-Pet recommends capsules for cats.
Bottom line on CBD for pets
When you think of marijuana dog (or cat) treats, CBD oils likely aren’t the first products that come to mind, but they may have beneficial effects that can improve your pet’s quality of life. If you think CBD may benefit your pet or are currently giving the cannabinoid to your dog or cat, be sure to use a product you trust and talk to your vet.
Not all vets are familiar with CBD oil, so it may be helpful to take along this article or to show them the current research explaining how CBD may be beneficial for treating animals with pain, epilepsy, or anxiety, among other conditions.
Sources
- Raichlen, D. A., Foster, A. D., Gerdeman, G. L., Seillier, A., & Giuffrida, A. (2012). Wired to run: exercise-induced endocannabinoid signaling in humans and cursorial mammals with implications for the ‘runner’s high’. The Journal of experimental biology, 215(Pt 8), 1331–1336. https://doi.org/10.1242/jeb.063677
- Silver RJ. The Endocannabinoid System of Animals. Animals (Basel). 2019 Sep 16;9(9):686. doi: 10.3390/ani9090686. PMID: 31527410; PMCID: PMC6770351.
- Deutsch D. G. (2016). A Personal Retrospective: Elevating Anandamide (AEA) by Targeting Fatty Acid Amide Hydrolase (FAAH) and the Fatty Acid Binding Proteins (FABPs). Frontiers in pharmacology, 7, 370. https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2016.00370
- Gamble LJ, Boesch JM, Frye CW, Schwark WS, Mann S, Wolfe L, Brown H, Berthelsen ES, Wakshlag JJ. Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Clinical Efficacy of Cannabidiol Treatment in Osteoarthritic Dogs. Front Vet Sci. 2018 Jul 23;5:165. doi: 10.3389/fvets.2018.00165. PMID: 30083539; PMCID: PMC6065210.
- Kaplan, B. L., Springs, A. E., & Kaminski, N. E. (2008). The profile of immune modulation by cannabidiol (CBD) involves deregulation of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Biochemical pharmacology, 76(6), 726–737. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bcp.2008.06.022
- Campos, A. C., Ferreira, F. R., & Guimarães, F. S. (2012). Cannabidiol blocks long-lasting behavioral consequences of predator threat stress: possible involvement of 5HT1A receptors. Journal of psychiatric research, 46(11), 1501–1510. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpsychires.2012.08.012
- McGrath, S., Bartner, L. R., Rao, S., Packer, R. A., & Gustafson, D. L. (2019). Randomized blinded controlled clinical trial to assess the effect of oral cannabidiol administration in addition to conventional antiepileptic treatment on seizure frequency in dogs with intractable idiopathic epilepsy. Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, 254(11), 1301–1308. https://doi.org/10.2460/javma.254.11.1301
- Henry, J. G., Shoemaker, G., Prieto, J. M., Hannon, M. B., & Wakshlag, J. J. (2021). The effect of cannabidiol on canine neoplastic cell proliferation and mitogen-activated protein kinase activation during autophagy and apoptosis. Veterinary and comparative oncology, 19(2), 253–265. https://doi.org/10.1111/vco.12669
- Yu, C. H. J., & Rupasinghe, H. P. V. (2021). Cannabidiol-based natural health products for companion animals: Recent advances in the management of anxiety, pain, and inflammation. Research in veterinary science, 140, 38–46. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rvsc.2021.08.001
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